EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN SURVEILLANCE, WARNING, AND EVACUATION PROCEDURES MIDDLECREEK TOWNSHIP, SOMERSET COUNTY SALTLICK TOWNSHIP, FAYETTE COUNTY, PA LATITUDE 40º 01' 20" N LONGITUDE 79º 18' 30" W (NAD27) Category C Hazard Potential Category 4 LAKE TAHOE OPERATED BY: SEVEN SPRINGS MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY (SSMA) JAMES LYTLE, MANAGER & PRIMARY OBSERVER 290 LAGOON LANE SEVEN SPRINGS, PA 15622 Phone: 814-352- 7777, Ext. 7920 Cell: 814-701-7863 FOR LAKE TAHOE IMPOUNDMENT DEP NO. D-26-123 LOCATED LAKE TAHOE OWNED BY: SEVEN SPRINGS MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY JAMES LYTLE, MANAGER 290 LAGOON LANE SEVEN SPRINGS, PA 15622 Phone: 814-352-7777, Ext. 7920 DATE: MARCH 2015 i
TABLE OF CONTENTS I. PURPOSE AND SCOPE 1 II. SITUATION 1 III. CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS 1-3 IV. RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES 3-6 V. ADMINISTRATION AND LOGISTICS 7 VI. OMITTED VII. DEFINITIONS 7-9 VIII. EXERCISE AND TRAINING 9 IX. PLAN MAINTENANCE AND DISTRIBUTION 9 ATTACHMENTS ATTACHMENT A INUNDATION MAP 10 ATTACHMENT B TRAFFIC CONTROL POINTS 11 ATTACHMENT C LOCATION MAP 12 ATTACHMENT D TELEPHONE ROSTER 13 ATTACHMENT E MEDIA ANNOUNCEMENT 14 ATTACHMENT F NOTICE 15 ii
I. PURPOSE AND SCOPE A. To safeguard the lives as well as to reduce property damage of the visitors and citizens living within the dam s potential downstream flood or inundation area. B. To provide for effective dam surveillance, prompt notification to local emergency management agencies and citizen warning and evacuation response, when required. C. To identify emergency actions to be taken by the dam owner/operator, public officials, emergency personnel, and to outline response by residents in the event of a potential or imminent failure of the impoundment. II. SITUATION A. Lake Tahoe is an off-stream water impoundment owned and maintained by Seven Springs Municipal Authority (SSMA) and is used to store water for use in the man-made snowmaking operation at Seven Springs Mountain Resort. It has no drainage area and is used for water storage. The lake is filled by pumping water into the impoundment. During the winter months, water is withdrawn via piping for use in the snow making process. It is also used for non-motorized water sports including paddle boats, hydrobikes and kayaks. Lake Tahoe is an approximately 20 ft. high, 960 long earth embankment. It maintains a normal pool capacity of approximately 31,150,000 gallons of water. The normal pool water surface elevation is approximately 2972 feet. B. Lake Tahoe is located within Seven Springs Mountain Resort in Somerset and Fayette Counties and serves as an impoundment to store water for snowmaking. (Refer to Location Map, Attachment C.) C. The inundation area resulting from a sudden failure is the ski trail known as Phillips Run and also the Southwind at Lake Tahoe Community located on the eastern edge of the impoundment. Approximately 2200 feet downslope of the impoundment is the Seven Springs Resort. Refer to Inundation Map Attachment A.) D. Within the inundation area is Southwind at Lake Tahoe, a townhome community which includes 160 units, Recreation Center with outdoor swimming pool, some facilities of the Resort, a chairlift and ski trails. These townhomes serve as vacation or second homes for most homeowners with a very small percentage of year-round residents. (Refer to Inundation Map, Attachment A.) Occupancy fluctuates with higher levels on weekends, holidays and the winter season. III. CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS A. SURVEILLANCE NORMAL CONDITIONS - (DAM OWNER OR OPERATOR) 1. The primary observer will conduct an on-site visual inspection of the impoundment, the impoundment s control systems, and the toe area below the dam at a minimum of once every three months. 2. The water level will be monitored daily. - 1 -
3. Any abnormal or questionable conditions will be immediately brought to the attention of the SSMA and Owner s engineer. B. SURVEILLANCE UNUSUAL EVENT CONDITIONS (DAM WATCH) 1. The primary observer will commence surveillance of conditions at the impoundment site when: a. The water level exceeds 12.0 feet. b. Any abnormal or questionable conditions are identified such as leaks in the embankment, boils, vortexes observed in the water surface, sloughing or slips in the embankment, etc. C. EARLY WARNING NOTIFICATION 1. The primary observer is responsible for determining the impoundment s threat potential. The following conditions constitute an early warning notification to the Somerset County Control/911 and require 24-hour around-the-clock surveillance. These conditions include, but are not limited to, the following: a. The water level in the impoundment area has reached the threshold level of 12.2 feet. b. Surface boils on the embankment, discharges of muddy or dirty water, sloughing or a slip occurs in the embankment, or any other conditions that appears to affect the embankment stability. c. Following the occurrence of an earthquake in the general region of the dam. 2. Early warning notification will be relayed from the Somerset County Control/911 to the Somerset County EMA, the PEMA State EOC and all applicable emergency responders and designated government officials and agencies only if efforts to lower the water level through the drain pipe are unsuccessful. D. WARNING AND EVACUATION NOTIFICATION 1. The primary observer and Owner s engineer are responsible for determining the dam's threat potential. The following conditions constitute a dam emergency requiring warning and evacuation notification to the Somerset County/911. 2. Imminent failure of these dams might be indicated by observance of one or more of the following conditions at the dam site: i. The lake or pond level is at or near the top of the dam and water is flowing, or about to flow, over the top of the dam. ii. Any sloughing or sliding of the embankment upstream or downstream slope. iii. Subsidence, sinkholes or cracks found in any part of the dam's embankment or abutting slopes. - 2 -
iv. Any new discharge of water is observed through the dam's embankment or abutting slopes, adjacent to any conduit outlets, or under the dam, which appears as a boil along the downstream toe. Should such a discharge occur and the water is cloudy or muddy in color, then a very serious problem may exist. 3. Warning and evacuation notification will be relayed from the Somerset County/911 to the Somerset County EMA, the PEMA State EOC and all applicable emergency responders and designated government officials and agencies. 4. Emergency management officials will accomplish the needed actions, which are explained in this EAP, in accordance with their existing recommended operating guidelines and existing municipal or county emergency operation plans. 5. Warning and evacuation of the public must commence upon notification by the primary observer of a potential or imminent failure of the dam. Emergency responders should initiate action in accordance with the plan outline and any existing internal organizational recommended operating guidelines, and existing municipal or county operation plans. 6. Notification to the residents of Southwind and customers of Seven Springs Municipal Authority will be notified through the Swiftreach Notification System which will be activated by Seven Springs Municipal Authority. E. TERMINATION OF SURVEILLANCE AND NOTIFICATIONS 1. The primary observer may terminate 24 -hour surveillance of dam site conditions when: a. The water level drops below 12.0 feet. b. The water level in the lake has dropped to the normal pool elevation. c. After a personal inspection of the dam site has been conducted by a knowledgeable professional engineer following an earthquake, overtopping of the dam, or an evacuation of the inundation area as a result of this EAP, or other serious problems resulting in a notification of a dam site emergency and the Department concurs with the results of the inspection. 2. Upon termination of 24-hour surveillance of dam site conditions, the primary observer shall notify the Somerset County/911. 3. Termination of notifications will be relayed from the Somerset County/911 to the Somerset County EMA, the PEMA State EOC and all applicable emergency responders and designated government officials and agencies. IV. RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES - EMERGENCY RESPONSE A. DAM OWNER OR DAM OPERATOR (DAM SITE EMERGENCY) a. The primary observer will provide for 24-hour on-site dam surveillance and monitoring as required in Section III.C.1. and initiate early warning notification to the Somerset County/911. b. When the situation meets the criteria under the warning and evacuation notification guidelines, presented in Section III.D.1, indicating a failure of the dam is possible - 3 -
or a significant threat condition is developing, the primary observer will initiate warning and evacuation communication to the Somerset County/911. B. SOMERSET COUNTY/911 1. The Somerset County/911 will notify: a. Somerset County EMA b. PEMA State EOC c. Seven Springs, New Centerville, Rockwood, Bakersville and Saltlick Volunteer Fire Departments e. Somerset County Control f. Pennsylvania State Police Somerset Barracks g. Somerset Area Ambulance Association C. SOMERSET COUNTY EMA 1. The Somerset County EMA will contact the following personnel and agencies: a. National Weather Service. b. Seven Springs Borough EMA. c. Media Advisory and/or Warning (Activate EAS)(Refer to Attachment E). d. Activate/mobilize Somerset County EOC, as necessary. g. American Red Cross Keystone Chapter (when mass care or family assistance is required) Coordinate sheltering per ESF6 of County EOP. h. Somerset County elected officials. i. Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency. j. PennDOT District 9-7 2. The Somerset County EMA will ascertain and report to PEMA any unmet needs requirements. 3. The Somerset County EMA will initiate Damage Assessment and Recovery procedures as the situation requires. D. LOCAL MUNICIPAL EMAs - 4 -
1. SEVEN SPRINGS BOROUGH EMA a. Advise facilities with special needs individuals as outlined in the Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) and identified by the Hazard Vulnerability Analysis (areas impacted due to a dam failure and indicated on the Inundation Map). b. Notify municipal elected officials and municipal services (water, sewer, etc.). c. Keep the County EMA apprised of the situation. d. Coordinate the evacuation (where appropriate). e. Provide damage reporting to the Somerset County EMC. E. FIRE DEPARTMENTS 1. SEVEN SPRINGS VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT 2. SOMERSET COUNTY CONTROL a. Provide citizen notification and route alerting to advise residents living within their jurisdiction (See Inundation Map - Attachment A). b. Assist in evacuation. F. POLICE SERVICES c. Assist police and EMS, as requested. d. Provide communications support if feasible and requested. 1. PENNSYLVANIA STATE POLICE SOMERSET BARRACKS a. Assist evaluation traffic flow and establish traffic control points (TCP), (See Inundation Map, Attachment A for Location and Attachment B for a description. b. Prevent unauthorized entry into evacuated areas. c. Provide assistance with route alerting, if requested. d. Will be assisted with Traffic Control within the Seven Springs Mountain Resort footprint by Seven Springs Mountain Resort Security staff when specifically requested by PSP. G. EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES (EMS) 1. SOMERSET COUNTY 911 AMBULANCE SERVICE DISPATCH a. Provide evacuation transportation assistance and coordinate with designated fire services agencies for transportation of persons with disabilities and any special needs. - 5 -
b. Assist fire and police departments as requested. c. Provide EMS support to any mass care center as requested. H. AMERICAN RED CROSS or Volunteer Organization Active in Disasters (VOAD) 1. KEYSTOWN CHAPTER (If requested by Somerset County EMA) a. Identify and activate an appropriate shelter, as necessary. b. Support and maintain operations of the reception center. c. Maintain communications with County EMC, local EMA and reception center. I. PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (PennDOT) 1. Provide services, signs, barricades and guidance on roads and bridges affecting the evacuation and recovery. - 6 -
V. ADMINISTRATION AND LOGISTICS A. The NOTICE (Attachment F) will be posted in the following public places located within the inundation area: 1. Seven Springs Mountain Resort D. The NOTICE (Attachment F) must state that copies of the Emergency Action Plan for this dam are available for inspection at the following locations (include physical address): 1. Somerset County Emergency Management Agency Office 100 East Union Street Somerset, PA 2. Seven Spring Borough Municipal Authority Water Dept. E. A new NOTICE will be sent to those locations in paragraph "A" and B when the EAP is revised. (Section VI. Has been intentionally omitted) VII. DEFINITIONS A. AFFECTED COUNTIES/MUNICIPALITIES Those jurisdictions within Pennsylvania or adjoining states that, according to the inundation map, may experience flooding as a result of a failure of the dam. B. BOIL - A disturbance in the surface layer of soil caused by water escaping under pressure from behind a water-retaining structure such as a dam or a levee. The boil may be accompanied by deposition of soil particles (usually sand or silt) in the form of a ring (miniature volcano) around the area where the water escapes. C. CONDUIT - A pipe used to convey water through or around or under a dam. D. DAM - A barrier built across a watercourse for impounding or diverting the flow of water. E. DAM FAILURE - The uncontrolled release of a dam s impounded water. It is recognized that there are degrees of failure. Any malfunction or abnormality, outside the design assumptions and parameters, which adversely affect a dam s primary function of impounding water is properly considered a failure. Minor malfunctions or abnormalities can result in a sudden failure of a dam. F. EMBANKMENT - Fill material, usually earth or rock, placed with sloping sides. G. EMERGENCY - A condition of serious nature which develops unexpectedly and endangers the structural integrity of a dam or endangers downstream property and human life. An emergency requires immediate action. H. EAP Emergency Action Plan - A formal document that identifies potential emergency conditions at a dam and specifies preplanned actions to be followed to minimize property damage and loss of life. It contains procedures and information to assist the - 7 -
dam owner in issuing early warning and notification messages to responsible downstream emergency management authorities of the emergency situation. It also contains inundation maps to show the emergency management authorities of the critical areas for action in case of an emergency. I. EOP Emergency Operations Plan - The document which describes the hazards, vulnerabilities, emergency management situations and assumptions that affect the municipality, the concept of operations during an emergency, and the various roles and assignments of the elected officials, emergency management coordinator and other emergency response personnel, whether paid or volunteer. (From PEMA Directive D2007-1). The EOP includes checklists for known critical facilities, special facilities, critical personnel, hearing impaired residents, non-english speaking residents, residents requiring ambulance assistance, etc., as identified by local emergency management officials. J. FACE - With reference to a structure, the external surface that limits the structure, e.g., the face of a wall or dam. K. FOUNDATION OF DAM - The natural material on which the dam structure is placed. L. HAZARD - A situation which creates the potential for adverse consequences such as loss of life, property damage, and adverse social and environmental impacts. Impacts may be for a defined area downstream of a dam from flood-waters released through spillways and outlet works of the dam or waters released by partial or complete failure of the dam. This could include an area upstream of the dam from effects of backwater flooding or effects of landslides around the reservoir perimeter. M. INUNDATION AREA - The downstream area that would be flooded or otherwise affected by the failure of a dam or large flows. This area can be subject to a fast moving flood wave, 20 to 50 MPH is common, with a height of 1 foot to tens of feet. N. INUNDATION MAP - A map delineating the area that would probably be flooded in the event of a dam failure. This map must be prepared by a registered professional engineer. O. NOTIFICATION - To promptly inform appropriate individuals or emergency agency about an emergency condition so they can initiate appropriate actions. P. NORMAL WATER LEVEL (NORMAL WATER POOL) - For reservoir with a fixed overflow spillway crest, it is the lowest level of that crest. Q. OPERATOR - The person or position in a company or organization, who is responsible for a dam s operation and surveillance. R. OUTLET - A constructed opening through which water can be safely discharged for a particular purpose from a reservoir. S. OWNER - Any person, authority or agency that manages a dam or reservoir. T. PSAP - Public Safety Answering Point - an agency in the United States, typically county or city controlled, responsible for answering 9-1-1 calls for emergency assistance from police, fire, and ambulance services. U. SEEPAGE - The movement of water that might occur through the dam, its foundation or its abutments. Small amounts of clear water seepage is normal. Increase in the amount of water flow or change in color is a concern for a dam s safety. V. SLIDE - The movement of a mass of earth down a slope. In embankments and abutments, this involves the separation of a portion of the slope from the surrounding materials. W. TOE OF DAM - The junction of the downstream face of a dam with the ground surface. Also referred to as downstream toe. For an embankment dam, the junction of the upstream face with ground surface is called the upstream toe. X. TOP OF DAM - The elevation of the uppermost surface of a dam, usually a road or walkway, excluding any parapet wall, railings, etc. - 8 -
Y. TRAFFIC CONTROL POINT (TCP) Manned or unmanned posts established at critical road junctions for the purpose of controlling or limiting traffic. TCPs are used to control evacuation movement and also limit entry into the inundation area when an emergency situation requires it. Z. VOAD - Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters - collaboration of diverse organizations and citizens trained to meet community needs in the wake of a largescale disaster. VIII. EXERCISE AND TRAINING The dam owner will advise and cooperate with the Somerset County EMA of any exercises scheduled, and coordinate with the Somerset County EMA to exercise all or portions of this EAP as part of the county's all-hazard exercise program schedule. IX. PLAN MAINTENANCE AND DISTRIBUTION A. This EAP will be reviewed every five years by the owner or the owner s engineer. During the five year review: 1. The owner or the owner's engineer will conduct an on-site review of the flood (inundation) area for any increase in downstream development and revise the Inundation Map, if needed. 2. The owner's engineer will review and revise surveillance conditions as needed. - 9 -
ATTACHMENT A INUNDATION MAP 10
ATTACHMENT B TRAFFIC CONTROL POINTS Traffic Control Points located by Somerset County EMA and manned by The Pennsylvania State Police TCP 1 TCP 2 At the Entrance to Village Drive North Gate Entrance - 11 -
ATTACHMENT C LOCATION MAP - 12 -
ATTACHMENT D TELEPHONE ROSTER Tahoe Lake Owner Seven Springs Municipal Authority Jim Lytle, Primary Observer NON-EMERGENCY EMERGENCY 814-352- 7777, Ext. 7920 814-701-7863 Somerset County EMA, Richard Lohr Seven Springs Volunteer Fire Company Somerset County Fire Control 814-445-1515 or 814-445-1516 911 911 814-445-1525 Or 911 814-352-7777 Pennsylvania State Police 814-445-4104 814-445-4104 Somerset Area Ambulance Association 814-445-6141 814-445-6141 American Red Cross Keystone Chapter 800-760-4357 or 814-255-1550 N/A Seven Springs Mountain Resort Security 814-352-7911 814-352-7911 CME Engineering LP (Sean Isgan, PE) 814-443-334 ext 3011 814-442-1677 DEP, Southwest Regional Office DEP, Dam Safety, Harrisburg PEMA PA Department of Transportation Media: Radio: Forever Broadcasting WMTZ Mountain 96.5 WCCL Television: WJAC 412-442-4187 717-787-8568 717-651-2001 814-445-7905 (Somerset) 814-696-7261 (Hollidaysburg) 814-255-4186 814-535-8554 814-443-1330 814-255-7600 814-255-7600 412-442-4000 800-541-2050 800-424-7362 N/A N/A N/A 800-359-5477 866-482-9225 814-255-7600-13 -
ATTACHMENT E TAHOE LAKE DAM MEDIA ANNOUNCEMENT EARLY WARNING MESSAGE: The Somerset County Emergency Management Agency advises that due to conditions at the Tahoe Lake in the Borough of Seven Springs, Somerset County the public should avoid the area downstream of the dam from Lake Tahoe embankment, within 2200 of the southern side of the dam to include areas in Southwind residential community and miscellaneous Mountain Crew support buildings adjacent to Lake Chippy. ***REPEAT PERIODICALLY*** WARNING AND EVACUATION MESSAGE: The Somerset County Emergency Management Agency is advising all residents living downstream of the Lake Tahoe Dam to evacuate the area immediately. Evacuate the area within 2200 to the southern side of the dam to include areas in Southwind residential community and miscellaneous Mountain Crew support buildings adjacent to Lake Chippy. ***REPEAT PERIODICALLY*** INCIDENT RESOLVED - SAFE TO RETURN: The Somerset County Emergency Management Agency is advising residents of the area downstream of the Lake Tahoe that the potential threat at the dam has been resolved and that residents may return to their homes. ***REPEAT PERIODICALLY*** NOTE: The above messages should be modified as necessary to fit the situation. - 14 -
ATTACHMENT F NOTICE NOTICE LAKE TAHOE IMPOUNDMENT HAS BEEN CLASSIFIED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROETECTION, DIVISION OF DAM SAFETY AS A CATEGORY 4 DAM. THIS IMPOUNDMENT IS SO LOCATED AS TO ENDANGER POPULATED AREAS DOWNSTREAM BY ITS FAILURE. AN EMGEGENCY ACTION PLAN AS BEEN DEVELOPED FOR LAKE TAHOE IMPOUNDMENT A COPY OF THIS PLAN, INCLUDING AN INUNDAITON MAP SUBJECT TO FLOODING IN THE EVENT OF FAILURE, IS AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION AT THE FOLLOWING LOCAITONS: SOMERSET COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCE OFFICE 100 EAST UNION STREET SOMERSET, PA SEVEN SPRINGS BOROUGH MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY WATER DEPT. 290 LAGOON LANE SEVEN SPRINGS, PA - 15 -